Smaller lineup attracting solid crowds
He’s been said to be a cross between Noam Chomsky and Jack Black.
Mike Daisey “elegantly blends personal stories, historical digression and philosophical ruminations,” according to the New York Times. And Intrepid Theatre director Janet Munsil is “one of his biggest fans,” so much so she’s convinced him to fly to Victoria for the first time for next month’s Uno Fest.
Daisey will headline with All Stories are Fiction at the festival in one of 15 solo shows happening between May 19 and 29.
Other performers include Missie Peters who is reprising her Fringe Festival hit Public Confessions of a Public Servant, and Justin Carter, who sold out his premiere of Son of Africville during the You Show series at Intrepid last year.
The festival’s 14th year will see performances staged at Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra St. and Intrepid’s home base at 1609 Blanshard St.
“I always say the experience of going to a solo show is theatre in its purest form,” said Intrepid Theatre general manager Ian Case.
“In some ways, it’s the most exciting way to experience theatre, because you have that really intimate one-on-one contact between artist and audience.”
Intrepid Theatre scaled back the size of Uno Fest from 24 to 15 performers last year because of provincial arts funding cuts.
“But our audience grew last year,” Case said, “partly because people were being supportive, but also, we had a really exciting lineup.”
This year’s format will duplicate last year, with a Fringe-like schedule that gives theatre-goers a chance to go immediately from one show to another.
For more information or tickets ($16 each or $65 for a five-show pass), visit www.intrepidtheatre.com or call 250-590-6291.
vmoreau@oakbaynews.com